Decatur Democrat, Volume 40, Number 44, Decatur, Adams County, 14 January 1897 — Page 1

The Decatur Democrat.

VOLUME XL.

IN COURT. PROF. MOFFETT ON TRIAL FOR IMMORALITY. WITNESSES BY THE CAR LOAD ARE EXAMINED AND CROSS EXAMINED.! Attorneys Indulge in Dignified (!) Legal Scraps and Spit Up Chunks of Ora* tory as Long as Your Arm. -r France & Merryman’s office was a busy looking place Monday morning. Attorneys, witnesses and petitioners in Moffatt superinteudency muddle were all on hand promptly at the hour set for hearing the evidence. Attorneys Peterson & Lutz, P. G. Hooper and A. P. Beatty represented the petitioners, while R. S. Peterson and R. K. Erwin represented the defendant.' France & Merryman were counselors for the school board. The first order came with the announcement that no one would be admitted except the petitioners, the counsel, defendant, newspaper representatives and the court. President Smith of the board administered the oaths to the witnesses, and did it in a very dignified manner, barring the tact that perhaps it was the first time he had ever been called upon to perform such an obligation. The board employed Miss Adda Snow as official stenographer, and who took down the evidence in full. Attorney Beatty amended the complaint, adding the words “and indiscrete actions.” The Complaint as amended was accepted. The complaint is is follows: State of Indiana, Adams County, ss: To the Honorable Board of School Trustees of the school corporation of the city of Decatur, Indiana: Your petitioners, by their attorneys, rep- ' resent to your Honorable Body, that you have now in your employ, as superintendent of the public schools of said citv. one A. D. Moffett. That said A. D. Moffett is a person of bad moral character all of which is shown in the charges herewith filed, and for said reasons as set out in said charges, be is wholly unfit to be or act as such superintendent. That said A. D. Moffett has lost his influence in said school as a superintendent by reason of his immoral conduct and indiscrete actions. Wherefore your petitioners, and divers other patrons of said schools too numerous to mention, pray your Honorable Body to fix a date, to-wit, January 11, 1897 t at 9 o’clock a. m. at the law office of France & Merryman in the city of Decatur, Indiana, for the purpose of hearing the evidence aad investigating the charges herewith prefered, which your petitioners will then present to your Honorable Body, upon said question of moral character, ut your said superintendent; and we ask in this petition that you give him due notice, and that on the hearing of said evidence, said A. D. Moffett, be dismissed from further service as said superintendent, and for all other proper relief. H, Krick, J. S. Coverd ale, Paul w. Hooper, Clark J. Lutz, ( John H. Butler, Israel Fellows, i A. P. Beatty, Shaffer Peterson. Wm. Pillars. The ease proceeded by the reading of the following affidavits: State of Indiana, I County of Adams, f 8 In the-matter of the petition filed with the Board of School Trustees of the Cltybf Decatur, Indiana, charging the superintendent of said schools with immorality. In support of said petition Faye L. Edwards says she is a resident of the city of Decatur, Indiana, and acquainted with A, D. Moffett. That on or about the latter part of September. 1896, this affiant with other young ladies from Decatur, Indiana, were attending school at Terre Haute, Indiana. That about said date, said Superintendent Moffett aforesaid made a visit to Terre Haute and while there he was almost continuously in the company of one, Josephine Congleton, and before leaving said town he made a request of all the ladles from Decatur that his visit should be kept a secret and that they should not communicate It to friends at Decatur, Indiana. At < the time he was there, there was a public reception given and to be held at the school building where the ladies from Decatur were attending, and all of the ladles from ® Decatnr were invited and had prepared to goexcept one, Kate Jackson, but when the time came to start Josephine Congleton £ notified the other girls that she could not go.,and this affiant says that she afterwards found and learned that Josephine Congleton was in the company of said A. D. Moffett said superintendendent and that said affiant is Informed and believes that the said A. D. Moffett staid in the company of the

said Josephine Congleton until one o’clock of that night and that from 11 o’clock until one o’clock of said night they «were alone with each other at the parlor room at her boarding house in the said city of Terre Haute. That the said A. D. Moffett thereafter about the 15th day of November, 1896, made another visit to Terre Haute at which time he was in the eompaay of the said Josephine Congleton. At thnt time the said A. D. on a part of the young ladies and asked them what they thought of his visit to Terre Haute. At which time Hattie Burns said to Mr. Moffett she had considered him a villian and that he had no business to do that. This affiant further says that at the time of said Moffett’s first visit and when he and Josephine Congleton staid up until one o’clock she, said affiant and one Mark Moffett and said A. D. Moffett and said Josephine Congleton were together in the parlor of the rooming house, where said young ladies were rooming, that about 11 o’clock of said evening she and said Mark Moffett left said parlor each going to their respective rooms. About two hours after that said Josephine Congleton who roomed with her said affiant and occupied the same bed with her oame up to their room she having to best of affiants knowledge and belief having been alone in said parlor of said boarding house from said 11 o’clock until one o’clock said night, with the said A.' D. Moffett and that a few moments after said Josephine came to their room she beard the said A. D. Moffett go past their room as she verily believes. Fayb L. Ddwards. Subscribed and sworn to before me this sth day of January, 1897. Shaffer Peterson, Notary Public. State of Indiana, ) County of Adams, I 8 In the matter of the petition filed with the Board of School Trustees of the City of Decatur, Indiana, charging the Superintendent of said schools with immorality. In support of said petition Nellie M. Krick says she is a resident of the city of Decatur and acquainted with A. D. Moffett. That on or about the latter part of September, 1896, this affiant with other young ladies from Decatur, Indiana, were attending school at Terre Haute, Indiana. That about said date said superintendent Moffett aforesaid made a visit to Terre Haute and while there he was almost continuously in the company es one, Josephihe Congleton, and before leaving said town he made a request of all the ladies trom Decatur that his visit should be kept a secret and that they should not communicate it to friends at Decatur, Indiana. At the time he was there, there was a public reception given and to be held at the school building w here the ladies from Decatur were attending and all of the ladi«s*rrom Decatur were invited and had prepared to go except one, Kate Jackson, but when the time came to start Josephine Congieton-notified the other girls that she and Faye ceuld not go, this affiant says that she afterwards found and learned that Josephine Congleten was in the company of said A. D. Moffett said superintendent and that it was he and that said affiant is informed and believes that the said A. D. Moffett staid in the compaay of the said Jesephine Congleton until one o’clock of that night, and that from 11 o’clock uatil one o’clock of said night they were aloae with each other at the parlor at her boarding house in the said city of Terre Haute, Indiana. That the said A. D, Moffett thereafter about the 15th day of November, 1896, made another visit to Terre Haute at which time he was in the company of the said Josephine Congleten. At that time the said A. D. Moffett called on the young ladies and asked them what they thought of his visit to Terre Haute. At which time Hattie Bures had said to him, “Moffett” 1 had considered you are a villian. Nellie L. Krick. Subscribed and sworn to before me this sth day of January, 1897. Shaffer Peterson, Notary State of Indiana , ) County of Adams, J 88 In the matter of the petition filed with the Board of School Trustees of the City of Decatur, Indiana, charging the superintendent of said schools with immorality. In support of said petition Hattie Burns says she is a resident of the city of Decatur and acquainted with A. D. Moffett. That on er about the latter part of September, 1896, this affiant with other young ladles trom Deeatur, Indiana, were attending school at Terre Haute, ladlaaa. That about said date said Superintendent Moffett aforesaid made a visit to Terre Haute and while there he was almost continuously in the company of one, Josephine Congleton, and before leaving said town he made a request of all the ladles from Decatur that his visit should be kept a secret and that they should not communicate it to friends at Decatur, Indiana. At the time he was there, there was a public reception given and to be held at the school buildlnr where the ladies from Decatur were attending and all of the ladies from Decatur were invited and had prepared to go, except one, Kate Jackson, but when the time came to start Josephine Congleton notified the other girls that she and Faye could not go, and this affiant says that she afterwards found and heard that Josephine Congleton was In the company of said A. D. Moffett, said superintendent, and that it was he and that said affiant is Informed and believes that the said A. D. Moffatt stayed In the company of the -said -Josephine Congleton until one o’clock of that night, and that from eleven o’clock until one o’cleck of said night that they were alone with each other in the parlor at her boarding house in the said city of Terre Haute, Indiana*,'that the said A. D.' Moffatt thereafter about the 15th day of November, 1896, made another visit to Terre Haute, at which time he was in the t

DECATUR, INDIANA, THURSDAY. JANUARY 14; 1897.

company of the said Josephine Congieton; at that time the said A. D. Moffett called on the young ladies and asked them what they thought of his visits to Terre Saute; at which time the affiant said to him, “Moffett, I had considered you as a villian.” , Hattie Bubns. Subscribed and sworn to before me this sth day of January, 1897. Shaffbr Peterson. Notary Public, State of In£iana, I Adams County, f 8

In the matter of the petition filed with the Board of Trustees of the City of Decatuy, Indiana, charging the Superintendent of said schools with immorality. In support of said petition Kate Jackson, a resident of the city of Decatur, of the age of thirty-three years, being acquainted with the said A. D. Moffett after being duly sworn according to law says: That on or about the latter part of September, 1896, this affiant, Nellie Krick, Faye Edwards, Hattie Burns, Eva Acker and Josephine Congleton were attending the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana, and while so attending said school about said date, the Superintendent Moffett aforesaid made a visit to Terre Haute, Indiana, and on said visit on a Suaday morning while going to breakfast in the company of a part of aforesaid ladies the said Moffett asked the affiant to not tell, or communicate, his visit to any oneJn Decatur, while there and at said time, said Superintendent Moffett was walking with said Josephine Congleton; after breakfast aforesaid and in the presence of the entire class aforesaid, the said Moffett aforesaid made request of all that none should communicate his presence to friends at Decatur, Indiana; that at said time wheu the said Moffett was in Terre Haute there was given at the school building a public reception for the students and all the aforesaid class, except affiant, intended on going to said public reception, said recsption being had on a Saturday night, that this affiant is informed and believes that the said A. D. Moffett persuaded the said Josephine Congleton to remain away from the said receiption and did stay »vith the said Josephine Congleton from eleven o’clock at night until < ne o’clock of the said night alone and out of the presence of any ether person. That thereafter on ©r about the 15th day of November, 1896, that said Moffett made another visit to Terre Haute, Indiana, and at that time and at that night he went walking with the said Jesephine Congleton eut of the presence of any other person, and while so out walking Hattie Burns atoresaid came to affiant’s room and it was there discussed What shall be, or what could be, or ought to be dene to keep Moffett from being with the said Josephine Congleton, and at which tlnp»> Hattie Burns declared and stated in an angry and exeited manner that Moffett came there tor the purpose of seeing Josephine. That thereafter this affiant saw said Moffett and Congleton going to her room through a back door leading into a back stairway, when there was a front open stairway leading np to said room. Thereafter this affiant, Hattie Burns and Faye Edwards went to the room of Josephine Congleton and found her and said Moffett alone in said room setting near to each other. That the said Josephine Congleton is about seventeen years old and the said Moffett abuut forty years old; that he is a married man and lived at that time in Decatar, Indiana; his wife was not present or with him during said visits. Kate Jackson. Subseribed and sworn to before me this 3rd day of January, 1897. Shaffer Petterson, Notary Public, The first witness examined was Dr. P. B. Thomas who held the witness chair for some little time. P. B. THOMAS. Lived in Decatur for about eleven years. Knew Moffett and also knew that his reputation for morality on January 7, 1897, was bad. Was 3 taxpayer and a patron of the school. The defendant's reputation has been questioned this school year. Heard slanderous statements about him, from which I think that further employment would be injurious to the schools. On erpsa examination the witness stated ttat he had talked to Moffett within a few days. Don’t know from personal knowledge of any immoral conduct the defendant is guilty of. Never visited the schools since the defendant had charge of them. * T. B, MOOSE. Lived in Decatur nine years and have a daughter in the high school. Reputation of A. D. Moffett on January 7, 1897, was bad, and that he hai lost his influence in the school. Cross examined—visited schools twice since defendant had charge. Don’t know personally of any immoral acts. Quite often heard words of commendation. Had said that if defendant wasn’t removed would take daughter from school. TITUS H. EBNST. , Have a daughter in high school. Think the reputation of defendant on January 7, 1897, was had, and in my opinion has lost his| influence with the school. Cross examined—personally know nothing derogatory to his Morality, always found him a gentleman, Unless the class would \ • • ’ r' .1 . .'l's*

unite and leave school would not allow his daughter to do so. HENBY H. HART. Have no children going to school. The general moral character of Mr. Moffett on January 7, 1897, was bad, and think he has lost his influence with the school. Cross examined—upon reports in circulation base opinion as hie influence in school. Personally know of no acts of immorality. Think superintendent ought to be released whether charges are true or not. w. SCOTT HUGHES. Known Mr. Moffett for four years. His reputation for morality on January 7, 1897, was bad, and that his influence in the school is lost and that it would be injurious to our echools to retain him. Cross examined—never knew of any immoral acts of Mr. Moffett. Don’t know what influence the defendent has in school, but consider the condition of the schools bad. Have a son in the high school. [During this cross examination a misunderstanding arose between the witness and Attorney Erwin, who was conducting the cross examination. For a minute it 'ooked as though there would be red blood spilt skyward, but an explanation fully appeased matters.—Ed] GEORGB W. KOOP. The reputation of Mr. Moffett not good for morality on January 7, 1897, and influence in school is lost. Cross examined—heard Mr. Allen, Cris Strebe, John Barnett, Ezra Cutting, Isiah Fellows and others say that defendant was unfit' to be superintendent of the schools. On account of circulated reports, think that defendant is unfit for the position. Don’t person ally know of any immoral acts. EMANUEL WOODB. Known defendant for three years. Think his reputation on January 7, 1897 J was bad, and that hisinfluen.ee ia the school was loot and that it sconld be injurious to retain him. Cross examined—know nothing i | .bout the defendant’s character or hutside of what he heard. Know “ nothing personally but have heard no one commend his school work or ' actions. EZRA CUTTING. The defendant’s character for morality on January 7, 1897, was bad. Have a son in the high school. From what I haye heard the defendant’s influence is lost, and notwithstanding his exhonoration it would not be to the best interest of the schools to retain him. Cross examined—heard many persons say that he was immoral. Don’t personally know of any immoral conduct. Heard one person commend him, and many others disapprove of his actions. D. G. M. TROUT. Have a daughter in the a high school. The defendant’s reputation for morality on January 7, 1897, was bad Would permit his daughter to withdraw from school, providing her class withdrew.. Think it would be for the best interests of the schools to dismiss him. Cross examined—think the report would damage him, so much so, that his influence would be lost. He personally knew of no act ol immorality. Heard that the primary departments were badly conducted, but that the high school was all right. A. K. Grubb was the informant.

HENBY H. METERS. Lives outside of the corporation but is taxed for school purposes. The defendant’s reputationifor morality was bad, and think it would be injurious to farther employ him. Even if charges were not proven, it would be better to dismiss him. Cross examined—have some feeling against Mr. Moffett, and now send my children to the country school. S?w defendant at postoffice one day last spring, and couldn’t keep his hands off of some girls that were there. Heard John Coots speak favorable of him. CYBUS HAMMEL. The reputation of defendant is bad. His further employment would be injurious to the schools, even if Charges were proven untrue. Cross examined—personally know of no immoral act. Have some (personal feeling against Mr. Moffett. IBVIN ACKBB. Have a daughter attending state normal at Terre Haute. Reputation of defendant is bad, and that it would be injurious to further employ him. Cross examined—don’t

know personally of any immoral acts. H. 8. POBTEB. Send four children to the public schools. The defendant’s reputation for morality is bad. Hia influence in the school is lost. Cross examined—think since petition was circulated that defendant should be removed. Don’t perspnally know of any immoral acta. WILLIAM B. REYNOLDS. The reputation ot the defendant is bad, and He ought to be removed. Cross examined—personally know of no immoral acts. Heard Isiah Fellers say he knew of immoral conduct. JOHN F. SNOW, Consider the reputation of defendant as bad. Heard some of the scholars talking about him. To retain him as superintendent would be injurious to the schools. Cross examined—no matter whether charges are true or not, should be removed. Don’t personally know of any immoral acts. Don’t remember of hearing any one commend him in any way, and his influence over school children will be lost. Miss Calderwood, his son and Maggie Daniels had told him they had lost their good opinion of him. j. w. TEEPLE. The general reputation of the defendant is bad. Think it would be injurious to the school to further retain him. Taught school for fifteen years. My opinion is based upon what I have generally heard. Cross examined—don’t personally know of any immoral acts. Ought to be retained if charges are proven untrue. There might be a condition where discretion would justify his removal. The second day’s trial I.bgan at 8:30 Tuesday morning. A petition or affidavit of William Pillars was read. It asked that the petitioner be released. The paper was simply filed, and the case proceeded.

J. T. W. LUCKEY. Send three children to school, was not acquainted with the renuto tion of the superintendent. Jaruarv 7, 1897. Think it wouM t>a mjur ions to the schools to re&in him longer. Cross examined—don’t personally know of any immoral acts, think his influence with the school is lost. JAMES FOEDYCB. Have a daughter in high school. If current reports are true will remove girl from school. Think the superintendent should be removed. Cross examined—if charges were proven untrue would not remove daughter from school, bat would have to be satisfied in my own mind. Haven’t any personal knowledge of immoral acts. WILLIAM BLACKBURN. Don’tthink superintendent should be retained. My experience as a member of the school board has been that children talk more or less about any difficulty of their teacher or superintdndent. Cross examined —have not heard any scholars discussing the matter. Base my opinion of removal upon the talk heard upon the street. If charges are proven antrue, think the general talk sufficient to remove him. Had that opinion last June. ISIAH FELLERS. Don’t know of any unmoral conduct. Signed petition on current rumor for the purpse of investigation. Not a patron. JOHN BUTLER. Personally know of no immoral conduct. Signed petition on general report for investigation. Have no feeling against Mr. Moffett. SHAFFEE PETERSON. Am one of the petitioners. Don’t know from personal knowledge of any immoral conduct.Bigned petition to have an investigation, and the affidavits of the girls were sufficient reason why they should be investigated. A. P- BEATTY. No personal knowledge of immoral acts. The rumors against the superintendent’s reputation were so stroßg, that it became a duty to investigate. If the charges were untrue the defendant should be exhonorated, and if not, he wasn’t a fit person to have charge of innocent children. No man could be fit for school work who would be so indiscrete as td do the things charged in the affidavits. PAUL g. hooper . Don’t personally know of any immoral conduct. Reason for signing petition is based upon the history of Mr. Moffett for the last four years, which together with the affi-

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davits on file, are sufficient for a thorough investigation. CLABK J. LUTZ. Have no personal knowledge of immoral acts. Considered it for the best interests of the schools and tbe patrons to have an investigation. Heard young school girls in his own home talking aboht rumors, and the superinteadent’s removal is the only thing that will improve the condition. The loose morale for two years past is sufficient evidenc that the superintendent and patrons all need a little training. HENRY KRICK. One of the petitioners. Have no personal knowledge of immoral acts. Signed the petition because I wanted an investigation. What 1 knew I heard from my daughter at Terre Haute. For the best interests ot the schools and patrons think he ought to be dismissed. J. 8. COVBBDALE. Am a petitioner. Knew nothing derogotary to his moral conduct. The reason I signed the petition is because he lied to me, and also that the various rumors afloat were sufficient to demand an investigation. Know of immoral acts on the part of Mr. Moffett. This closed the evidence for the prosecution and the defense immediately proceeded. JAMES N. FBISTOE. Patron of the school. Reptutation of A. D. Moffett is good. It would be to’ the best interests of the school to continue Mr. Moffett as superintendent. Cross examined—have talked considerable about the case, and expressed myself freely. Don’t think his retention would be . detrimental. Have a son in the high school. JOHN H. LENHABT. Have a son in the public school. Reputatioß of A. D. Moffett on Jan. 7, 1897, was good. Don’t know whether it would be detrimental or otherwise to remove him. There would be opposition against him. JAMES K BOYERS/ Reputation if A. I)/ Moffett is good as far as I know*. Don’t think it would be to the interest of the school to remove him. Cross examined—heard his reputation questioned by rumors. It immoral acts were proven, wouldn’t consider it advisable to retain him as superintendent. JOSEPHINE CONGLETON. Am eighteen years old, and attending school at Terre Haute. Graduated last year under Superintendent Moffett. The supenntendant’s first visit to Terre Haute was on Sept. 27, Met him m the evening m the hallway in the same boarding house where Faye Edwards and myself roomed. Afterwards Faye, myself and Mr. Moffett went down town together. After we came back, sat on front poich together and then went into the parlor where a general conversation was engaged in for some time. Mark Moffett, Faye and myself got up to retire when A. D. Moffett said “if any one wants to say anything to me, they will have to stay,” and motioned to me. I remained and we talked for a short time, and then went up to my room. Nothing was said or done by Mr. Moffett of an immoral nature Saw him at breakfast next morning, and then not until later in the morning, and for perhaps thirty minutes. Went with Mark and A. D. Moffett -to train. Saw him again some time the latter part of October or first of November. First saw him about four o’clock in the parlor ot the boarding house. Nothing improper occurred. He remained in Terre Haute until Monday—this was Saturday- Went to club room for supper and returned to boarding house where we were for about five minutes before the other girls returned. Mark Moffett came and then the two left together. Saw him next on Sunday morning. Faye Edwards and myself were together and Mr: Moffett with Miss Kate Jackson. About two o’clock of this day he drove up to boarding house in a buggy. Mark came to inform me and told me to go with him. We drove some two miles to the suburbs of the city to the residence of Mr. Pugh. No one was at home and we drove back to the boarding house. Next saw him at supper and not until next morning. The charge in the petition that while attending the high school here, I sat upon his lap in the superintendent’s office, is a lie. Have known Mr. Moffett ever since he came here. He nover made (Continued on Fourth Page.)